These companies produce or sell fine powders made from synthetic and natural minerals, diamond and CBN in particular. These powders are used in lapping, honing, polishing and other applications of loose abrasives. Most of these companies produce powder by crushing and carefully sizing abrasives mineral by proprietary technics. Powders with particle sizes measured in nanometers, for example abrasives used for some semiconductor applications, are prepared by special chemical methods that are substantially different from traditional mechanical technics.